CHICAGO (May 8, 2023) – Chicago Fire FC today announced that the Club has parted ways with head coach Ezra Hendrickson. Frank Klopas will serve as head coach for the remainder of the 2023 season.
Additionally, the Club has parted ways with assistant coach Junior González. Assistant coach C.J. Brown and goalkeeper coach Zach Thornton will remain in their current roles.
“This was a difficult decision, but after careful consideration, we felt that a change was necessary at this time as we work toward our goal of advancing to the playoffs and competing for trophies,” said Chicago Fire FC Sporting Director, Georg Heitz. “We’d like to thank Ezra and Junior for their efforts during the past two seasons, and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors.”
Hendrickson originally joined the Fire as head coach on Nov. 24, 2021, after spending 13 years coaching at the domestic and international levels. During this tenure with the Club, the team compiled a 12-18-14 regular season record across the last two seasons.
Originally joining the Fire as a player in 1998, Klopas has since held several positions with his hometown Club, including head coach, technical director, team ambassador and broadcaster. After serving as the color analyst for the team’s broadcasts from 2016-19, Klopas officially returned to the Club’s coaching ranks as an assistant coach on Jan. 14, 2020. He holds a USSF "Pro" License and is fluent in English and Greek.
The Fire will return to action on Tuesday, May 9, when the team hosts MLS expansion side and Midwest rival St. Louis CITY SC in the Round of 32 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at SeatGeek Stadium. The match will begin at 7:00 p.m. CT, and tickets are available for purchase here.
